A brief Note
Hey all, thank you for continuing to pray with us and for us. As most of you already know, we have been struggling with settling since even before arriving in country. At present, we are getting ready to leave our leased home that we prayed for because of an ongoing mold issue. The owner did offer to “allow us” to move out as they do the repairs and then move back in. As you can imagine we are unwilling to as we would be disheveled for another two months in order to complete the work. They also are not doing the full scope of the work that has been advised. We declined and are moving out. They are retaining a large portion of our deposit which totally stinks and is not ethical, but outside of taking them to court, we won’t be getting that returned. OUCH!
We are looking at another home tomorrow so hopefully it works for our needs and allows us to move on and settle.
The port continues to withhold our container and charge us a daily storage rate until they release. I know, it is as fair as it sounds:) At present we are $16-1800 in the hole on it and counting with no end in site. Every day I am told 2 or three more days, all while being asked to pay bribes to move the process along. I finally put on my disgruntled gringo face and let them know that if returning to port to handle, it would be with the police and an attorney. That seems to have lit a fire under their behinds, so Lord willing we will see our container soon, though I am sure with over 2k in additional fees.
Truly, our lives feel out of control with sick kids, a moldy house, needing to move, and not even being able to remove our own possessions from port. We know God is in control. At the same time, we are human. Some days, trusting in God’s promises and provision while being extorted. Other days, we are down. But God is faithful and we are working hard to continue looking up.
We love you all. We know God has us here for a reason. Pray with us, that God open a new home, that the kids’ health improves, and that the financial bleeding stops. Sorry for the heavy and less than fun update.
I’ll leave you with this interesting story.
On the way back from port, Steve and I were stopped at a busy intersection in the worst part of Lima. A man with a rock or something in his hand, clearly on drugs, pressed himself up against my car demanding money for food. I waved no as I knew the second I opened my window it would be more than a few soles he would try to take. He began rapping on my door with whatever it was in his hand insisting. (note: I had just dealt with at least 3 people from the port authority seeking to extort “tips” to get our container out of port). This gringo had had enough! I turned, smacked the inside of my own door to grab his attention, and said “ don’t touch my car!” in a stern voice. The guy smirked knowing that what he was doing got under my skin. In this area of the city, its not uncommon for beggars to approach your car with a rock to “ask” for money. I thought I was going to have to get out and stomp him into the ground so I pulled a closed pocket knife out from under my thigh and held it reaching for the door handle. The man’s disposition instantly changed and he said “You have beautiful eyes but a bad attitude”, he then turned and left. I turned to Steve, we both laughed and the light changed so we could go.
I have never been complimented and insulted by an extortionist on drugs, but I guess you can add that to the bucket list of things that cause us to pause and say, “We’re not in Iowa anymore”.
Blessings on all of you and may God continue to go before us here. He has a plan. We are currently along for the ride. We are grateful for you, willing to help share in the joys and burdens as we walk by faith.
Cole and Debbie